Helmets for Kids

[jwhite518]

Hi all,

My daughter is big enough to reach the pegs now so I'm considering helmet options. First choice obviously is to buy a kids-size motorcycle helmet. But before buying the helmet, just for the first few rides around the neighborhood, which is safer: a bicycle helmet that fits properly, or Mom's m/c helmet? Instinctively the motorcycle helmet seems safer because it has more coverage and is harder, but I wonder if it would really prevent a concussion because it's so loose.

Comments?

[motofranz]

In the long run you might try to find out her helmet size (go to a dealer and try them on)

Then check the IBMWR forums and see if you can find a used helmet.I would think there are kids helmets that they have outgrown out there somewhere.

Im not insinuating that she is not worth a NEW helmet,but how much is she going to ride ?
And kids grow F A S T .

Just my 2 cents.....

Mom's helmet,or a bicycle helmet might not cut it !!
Good Luck....

[flash412]

Comments?Consider Family Freedom Motorcycling (http://www.familymotorcycling.com/) as a source of riding gear for kids. The owner, NancyK, has an exchange policy for growing bikers.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Hi all,

My daughter is big enough to reach the pegs now so I'm considering helmet options. First choice obviously is to buy a kids-size motorcycle helmet. But before buying the helmet, just for the first few rides around the neighborhood, which is safer: a bicycle helmet that fits properly, or Mom's m/c helmet? Instinctively the motorcycle helmet seems safer because it has more coverage and is harder, but I wonder if it would really prevent a concussion because it's so loose.

Comments?

But before buying a helmet, DO NOTHING! What are you thinking? Take her to the shop and get her a helmet. You didn't mention her age. My daughter has had a youth size helmet since she was 4.5 (in the side car). She has outgrown that at 9, and I've replaced it with a Shoei RF800 size small that I just picked up on IBMWR marketplace. It will be good to have the interchangable shield for her.

[rottenbiker]

A word on helmets, as someone else said,...go buy a new helmet that fits correctly. I am a msf ridercoach/instructor for many yrs. We teach about protective gear. Helmet wear, fit and construction. A helmet is good for 1 impact and one alone!! Plain and simple. If a helmet falls off a motorcycle seat or handlebar it can do enough damage that it wouldn't help you in the event of a crash. You might not be able to see the damage but it may have broken down the structure of the helmet enough to make it unsafe....can you be sure if buying a used helmet that someone hasn't dropped it before you? That is why you will find most dealers will not let you return a helmet after you have purchased one and gone out the door with it, they can't be sure you haven't dropped it at that point. A good helmet has more then the DOT rating as well. DOT hasn't changed their rating system in about 26yrs......Snell upgrades their ratings every 5 yrs so look for a helmet with the lastest Snell rating currant rating Snell M2000 soon to be M05. Snell memorial foundation is an independant testing organization and M rating is for motorcycles, You want to be sure and look for M as different uses have different ratings. You can check out their website for how they do their ratings. Hope this helps to answer any of your questions. For sizing for a child let me recommend AGV or Bieffe brand helmets as they have very small sizes available. Be sure and read about helmet care as well. There is alot to know to keep your head protected.

[James.A]

Well, JW, send me your mailing address and I'll send you a kid sized helmet, FREE. My son hit his teenage growth spurt and his old helmet will no longer fit. If, when you recieve it, you find it un-suitable, throw it in the trash.

[James.A]

The concussion is caused by the brain sloshing inside the skull. You can get a concussion with a properly fitted helmet if you hit something hard enough, The helmets primary function is to prevent lacerations and to dissipate energy at the point of impact.(skull fracture)

[rottenbiker]

Yes a helmet is made to do as he said but it is also designed to do a bit more and an improperly fit helmet can cause damage as well, and an "old" helmet's componants may have broken down over the yrs and not do the job either. Helmet manufacturers recommend replacement every three to 5 yrs exactly for this reason. That is just recently over past few yrs. Prior to that recommendation was for 2 to 3 yrs. This is recommended under normal uses, and storage. When not in use it is stored in even temps (not the unheated garage where temps can vary drastically). I hate to see someone misguide someone when it comes to something so important. I wonder how this person who is offering you a "free" helmet would feel, if you went ahead and used it, were in an accident and something happened to your child as a result of his actions? You can purchase a fairly inexpensive helmet in your childs size for around 100.00 to 125.00 with current Snell ratings and the experience of picking out a helmet with your child may even make the young person enjoy this new experience even more. I am pretty experienced in more ways then one on this issue.

[GeoffMiller]

Playing Devil's advocate: Look at that picture that you posted. Are you really going to be a cheap ass? Protect her well. She IS the next generation. Just a thought. geoff

[GeoffMiller]

OK, you didn't post the picture. I got a little ahead of myself. The message still stands.......geoff

[James.A]

"I hate to see someone misguide someone when it comes to something so important. I wonder how this person who is offering you a "free" helmet would feel, if you went ahead and used it, were in an accident and something happened to your child as a result of his actions?"

Misguide?....for cryin' out loud....I'd feel a lot better about it than if JW took the kid for a ride and crashed while she was wearing a bicycle helmet, or an ill-fitting helmet that shifted on impact.

Please remember that JW was the person who come-a-lookin' for opinions and/or options. I'd say that putting a kid on a motorcycle at all is the action that puts the child at risk.

I am confident that JW will do the right thing and get the child a proper protective device. The question was bicycle helmet or mom's helmet that might be too big.

FWIW, the child sized helmet offered earlier will be remanded to the landfill on the next garbage day. I wouldn't want my misguided sense of generosity to allow someone to make a poor decision regarding their own childs safety.
Ah... I feel better already.

BTW, "this person" has a name.

[rottenbiker]

Well James what DOES the A stand for? My comment about misguide stands,...You don't offer a used helmet to someone without explaining proper fit, age, and can you guarantee it has never been dropped? Your generousity is wonderful although misguided it is. I was trying to set you all straight as to the major risks involved and the obvious lack of understanding most riders have when it comes to helmet fit, etc. Not trying to get into pissing contest with you which you seem to think this is all about.

[jwhite518]

Please remember that JW was the person who come-a-lookin' for opinions and/or options. I'd say that putting a kid on a motorcycle at all is the action that puts the child at risk.

I am confident that JW will do the right thing and get the child a proper protective device. The question was bicycle helmet or mom's helmet that might be too big.



JW here. Thanks EVERYONE for your thoughtful answers. I'm really glad I posted the question. Yes, I was wondering if the bike helmet or mom helmet would be good enough for once around the block, not for a Saddlesore 1000. The ideas here are enough to prompt me to take a trip down to the cycle store with Claire and buy the helmet together. It's bad enough that I'm putting the kid at risk by taking her on my bike, at least I should make sure she's protected. She is the future, our only child, and if something were to happen to her due to a bad helmet decision it would be devastating. On the other hand, cultivating an interest in cycling together can be the special glue that binds father and daughter.

Merry Christmas everybody!

[bikerfish1100]

JW-
Good Call !! :clap

[GeoffMiller]

She will love the experience!!! I know that my girls did!!!!!!!!

[SheRidesABeemer]

She will love the experience!!! I know that my girls did!!!!!!!!

Just a word of caution about riding with kids. Don't burn them out! Take care to listen to your child. Are they still enthusiastic about going for a ride? Make the ride short enough and rewarding for them; especially for the youngest ones. My daughter and I set out for dinner or ice cream on summer weeknights. A two hour weekend ride needs a good destination as a reward.
When she says no to a ride, I respect that - then I beg her to let me ride while she stays home to play with her friends!

My daughter kept asking to go to a rally with me. Clearly 12 hour days were not going to be a good idea. She finally attended her first when there was the opportunity to go 2 hours from home. Make good decisions for your kids, you know their attention span, the comfort of your bike and their enthusiasm.

I learned this leason from a fellow rider. He put his son on the back of the bike at 6. Took him out a lot. The boy is now 22, won't even accept a ride for basic transportation, all he remembers are long boring hours behind dad.

Gail